Trial Balance

General Douglas MacArthur invited Roger Baldwin, director of the American Civil Liberties Union, to come to Japan and Korea and give his verdict on how democratization was working. Back last week, Baldwin reported his findings.

On Japan he was enthusiastic. Baldwin, who for 30 years has defended the rights off revolutionaries of all shades, called Soldier MacArthur's occupation of Japan "the greatest revolution I have ever seen." About Korea he was much less hopeful. There, a lack of U.S. policy, an inept military government and factionalism among Korean politicians has produced a "reign of terror." Japan, the former enemy, was like a "liberated country," while Korea had all the earmarks of a conquered country.

Crusaders. "Japan," rhapsodized Baldwin, "is an uplifting experience. It is a crusade." General MacArthur feels that he has an almost mystical duty to "purge the soul of the Japanese people. The Japanese are learning to stand up on their hind legs to authority." As avid to ape Western political and social forms as they once were to imitate Western industrial techniques, the Japanese are trying everything from open forum debating to the Virginia reel (see cut).

Baldwin thinks that the Japanese have lost their awe of the Emperor, retain only respect and curiosity. He talked with Hirohito, found him "intelligent, quick and agreeable," but very much of a "man who had been managed. Hirohito always seemed to be looking for someone to give him a cue. To break the ice I brought candy for his kids. He got real folksy and asked me about my kids at home."

Later in the discussion, the Emperor expressed a hope that the occupation would continue for a while. "You know," added Hirohito, "democracy is not a new idea in Japan. There are many references to it in the old books and in village practices."

Baldwin became convinced that whatever democratic traditions the Japanese have are of a highly communal type. Japan is "one great big committee." Its people have group rights rather than individual ones.

Koreanizers. In Korea, Baldwin was shocked at repressive measures used by the military government. "There is no spirit of crusade in Korea. We started out not with the idea of democratizing Korea but of Koreanizing it. We would pick Koreans--the wrong kind--for administrators, then wash our hands of responsibility for what they do."

The small intellectual elite that runs Korean politics tends to be either Communist or reactionary. "In Korea," said Baldwin, "the middle of the road is conspicuous by its absence. We were unable to find a democratic center." One result is continuous political violence. Korean politicians are hardly safe in their homes.

"We have offered no working democratic alternative to Communism," continued Baldwin. "We locked up strike leaders. Our present policy is making for a Soviet Korea." Of the Sovietized Korea north of the 38th parallel, Baldwin saw nothing. Although he has defended the civil rights of hundreds of U.S. Communists, the Russians said that a visit from Baldwin would be undesirable.

The last thing Baldwin saw in Korea was a 30-ft. sign on a Seoul street, with "Kill the Reds and Pinks" painted on it. Although he is no Red, Baldwin does not think that is the kind of free speech the U.S. should be encouraging.

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